A review of my Astra Coupe complete with current problems

ajgoodfellow said:
Whereabouts are they located?
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well this was on an omega, but as your model astra was around the time the omega was i assume some similarity...may be wrong though.

They were at the back of the engine, middle left iirc, but look at your haynes manual under sensors or what have you and make sure they are connected properly for both TC and ABS and place some electrical tape on if necessary.

It went into vauxhall several times and they could not sort this out btw.
 
Thanks I'll have a look

Just for interest I got a valuation from WeBuyAnyCar.com stating in average (against good or poor) condition and stating the damage for £1900. This is almost tempting - get rid of it and get a Focus or something and start afresh
 
ajgoodfellow said:
Thanks I'll have a look

Just for interest I got a valuation from WeBuyAnyCar.com stating in average (against good or poor) condition and stating the damage for £1900. This is almost tempting - get rid of it and get a Focus or something and start afresh
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For that sort of money you are likely to be getting rid of a car with a few issues for another car with a few issues.

You could sell the car and buy a banger with a years MOT and hope for the best.
 
That's what's stopping me. It hurts to think it's lost half it's value in 7 months but I won't get a lot more privately and it could cost a fair bit to fix

As you say any other £2k car will come with problems and could end up costing me more
 
ajgoodfellow said:
That's what's stopping me. It hurts to think it's lost half it's value in 7 months but I won't get a lot more privately and it could cost a fair bit to fix

As you say any other £2k car will come with problems and could end up costing me more
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Looking at prices, I think you may have overpayed for it in the first place. You can easily get a car for 2k, but it won't be exciting or nice.

A mondeo springs to mind for bang for buck but they are about as dynamic/exciting as a caravan.

Anything else will probably put you in the same position. Especially with some sporty performance to boot. You will always have some issues and fixes that need doing. Even if not major mechanical at this price braket nothing is going to be perfect (although mondeo 2.0 is probably best bet, ST versions may cost you £££ in fixes)

Alternatively you are into fiesta sized cars.
 
Yeah I do think I overpaid for it but it was dealer prices (and in immaculate condition) so I went for it. You live and learn!

Unfortunately I cannot afford to put any money on top - looking around, £2k should get me a good 1.8 Focus Zetec but, on paper at least, the performance isn't as good as the Astra

I found a single Puma 1.7 for £2k and a few Cougars (including the V6) but they could be money pits

I'm not going to rush into anything though - I've learnt from that when I rushed into the Astra - you can get Clio 172s for £4k now (which probably would have suited me better!)
 
ajgoodfellow said:
Yeah I do think I overpaid for it but it was dealer prices (and in immaculate condition) so I went for it. You live and learn!

Unfortunately I cannot afford to put any money on top - looking around, £2k should get me a good 1.8 Focus Zetec but, on paper at least, the performance isn't as good as the Astra
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In practice they arn't either. The only focus (assuming last shape) that is quicker than the 1.8 astra is the 170 ST. The 2.0 zetec isn't either due to pants gearing. Infact the 1.8 isn't much better than the 1.6. Your are better off with a 1.6 or 2.0.

I found a single Puma 1.7 for £2k and a few Cougars (including the V6) but they could be money pits
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Try a civic VTI 5 door, you should find a nice one in budget. I loved mine when i had it.

I'm not going to rush into anything though - I've learnt from that when I rushed into the Astra - you can get Clio 172s for £4k now (which probably would have suited me better!)
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Clio 172s can be money pits. Mine at 30k was verging on it before I sold it. All depends how its been driven and looked after but even then its french. After all the troubles I have had with my french hot hatches, I would never have another french car, no matter how good.

In your position, a performance car is not going to be cheap to run and as you are stuggling to maintain/repair the astra then it could be a bad move. The astra is a very cheap car to maintain as they go.

Only car I can think of would be a civic VTI that ticks all the right boxes.
 
aproctor said:
The TC sensor (and ABS iirc) are connected with rubbish sticky pads that if come loose cause all sorts of problems, get some electrical tape and stick them down properly.
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You can run a cable from the fuse box, down to the centre console and get the switch from Vuaxhall for £12 (i'm sure) which will allow you to turn the TC off. One of the best mods available for the coupe.

Have a look on www.z22se.co.uk for some info, or astra forums which have step by step guides on pdf.
 
Thanks for the replies - I'd never thought of a Civic VTi!

Just had a look - there's not many around near me but £2k is enough for a decent one - there are even ones under £1k. It's Jap too so hopefully reliable! ;)
 
Begbie said:
You can run a cable from the fuse box, down to the centre console and get the switch from Vuaxhall for £12 (i'm sure) which will allow you to turn the TC off. One of the best mods available for the coupe.

Have a look on www.z22se.co.uk for some info, or astra forums which have step by step guides on pdf.
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Oh good i'm not talking complete tosh then.
 
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